Borussia Dortmund will host Rangers in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League last 32 clashes on Thursday evening at Signal-Iduna-Park, kickoff at 8:45 pm.
On Sunday, Rangers ended a three-game winless streak on the road when they earned a 0-3 victory over lower-division Annan Athletic in the FA Cup.
Nevertheless, this win will count for little in this European clash because it has come against a lower-division opponent. (It was played against Scotland’s 2nd team in Glasgow.)
On the last two occasions that Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s men have traveled to Premiership games—against Ross County (a 3-3 draw) and Celtic (a 3-0 defeat)—they’ve conceded three goals each time.
The Gers were winless in their three Europa League group phase away games, scoring only two goals.
It will be music to the ears of Marco Reus, Donyell Malen and other German players, who will fancy their chances of a deep run in the knockout stage of the UEFA Europa knockout stages.
Borussia Dortmund had a decent weekend, defeating Union Berlin 3-0 on the road, as they narrowed the gap behind Bayern Munich at the top of the Bundesliga standings down to six points, following the Bavarians’ shocking defeat at Bochum.
Here’s something that I can tell you—BVB won their last four home matches in all competitions and scored more than 13 goals in these wins.
Borussia Dortmund vs Rangers Head to Head
Both sides are yet to face each other at this competition stage. Here is a look at their previous encounters:
Home
- FC Union Berlin 0-3 Borussia Dortmund
- Dortmund 2-5 Bayer Leverkusen
- Hoffenheim 2-3 Dortmund
- FC St. Pauli 2-1 Dortmund
- Dortmund 5-1 Freiburg
Away
- Annan Athletic 0-3 Rangers
- Rangers 2-0 Hibernian
- Rangers 5-0 Hearts
- Celtic 3-0 Rangers
- Ross County 3-3 Rangers
Borussia Dortmund Team News
It is unlikely that Erling Haaland will play in the Champions League on Thursday, having missed training with the reserves on Monday. Thomas Meunier is a doubt for the match against FC Union Berlin, so Manuel Akanji may have to play right-back again.
Rangers Team News
Aaron Ramsey and Amad Diallo started Rangers’ Scottish cup win over League Two Annan Athletic on Saturday, hoping the match will help build their minutes following January transfers to Ibrox.
Prediction and Odds
Bookmakers see the German team as favorites over two legs, especially on the night, given how poorly the Scottish side has recently performed on the road.
- Borussia Dortmund Win
- Goals Over 2.5
- Reus to Score Anytime
